Chapter 117 - The Diversion (2/2)
”Oh, my gosh! Is it true?” Mary almost throws her arms around her if not for the computer that stands in their way. ”You're so lucky! You have actual red-blooded men in your life! Unlike women like myself. I've never had a boyfriend. I think I'll just continue spending my life alone, doing nothing but washing my genitals, then eventually die. Nobody likes me.”
Now it becomes about Mary. ”Don't talk like that. I'm sure someone out there is meant for you. I also didn't have a good boyfriend, a decent boyfriend, for years before this one.”
”Have I seen him? Your boyfriend, that is.”
Claire hesitates. ”I don't think so.” She can only offer her half-truths—maybe in due time, but not now. Mary learning about Gabriel might complicate things too much, too early.
”Well, let me meet him some time and I'll discern what kind of person he is,” Mary says.
”He's fine. He's a bit crazy, but deeply lovable when you get to know him,” she says.
”Crazy? That's a red flag. You know our boss here, Gabriel Tan? That's the template of a guy you should avoid taking seriously.” Mary laughs. ”Or you might end up babysitting your boyfriend's ego for the rest of your life.”
”Oh, no,” Claire says, ”My actual boyfriend is so far from Gabriel Tan.” Ouch, her heart says. ”He's funny and sweet and full of surprises.”
”Attagirl! I just wish I could find someone, too.”
”You'll see. He will come when you least expect him.”
Mary smiles. ”Did you say your unwanted suitor is coming over tonight?”
Claire nods.
”Well, the only thing you can do is face the music. Stand your ground. Wait for him, tell it to his face that there is plenty of fish in the ocean, and if he could have the good graces to turn his attention to someone else, you'd be so grateful. Grateful for the peace of mind.”
Claire says nothing.
”Otherwise,” Mary continues, ”he's going to continue being a headache. And that might affect your real relationship. And before you know it, your real relationship suffers, and your true boyfriend is breaking up with you because you were never fully present for him.”
”How come you know so much about these things?”
Mary shrugs. ”I read a lot of romances on . You should try it, some time. So much fun!”
”Okay.”
After Mary leaves, Claire is reduced to watching the hours tick by. She vacillates between courage and cowardice. One moment, she's firm about facing Miguel when he comes, the next moment she just wants to add more bullshit to this story. By five, right on the dot, her deskphone rings.
”Hey, darling,” says the raspy voice. It's Mrs. Gomez at the reception. ”Your future brother-in-law is here waiting for you. Should I let him in?”
”Oh, my God!” Claire panics, her mind whites out. ”No, don't. Tell him I'm already out. Early out, please tell him…'”
”Really? But—”
Mrs. Gomez doesn't finish talking, as Claire almost slams down the phone. She grabs her bag as she hears some commotion brewing by the entrance hall. She's about to run out, but she hears Miguel's angry voice, arguing with somebody, so she slips into a sideroom just in the nick of time. Miguel appears, with a scowl on his face.
Claire opens the door a little to take a peep. Miguel is disconcerted that she's not at her desk. He yells at a staff, asking about her whereabouts. Nobody could give him an answer, which only adds to his frustration. He seems disheveled, confused, angry.
Carefully, Claire closes the door, feeling rotten inside. She should just face him. But then people would hear everything corny he might say, and that's that.
”Oh, Bella! I'm glad you came!”
Claire turns around and her mouth drops open: the ”sideroom” turns out to be the auxiliary office pantry, and a group of her officemates stand around a table, slicing a cake. The person in charge of slicing it is currently holding the breadknife aloft, as they are all looking at her, confused about her presence.
And Mary's standing by her, holding an empty paper plate. She grins. ”We're giving Arlene a little birthday cake surprise. I thought you had left already!” She hands Claire a paper plate. ”Welcome to the party!”
”Welcome,” the group around the table mutter awkwardly. Claire knows no one in that group.
Outside, they could hear Miguel's voice yelling, ”Where is Bella?” over and over.
”Who's that?” Mary says, as she tries to open the door.
Claire's heart jumps in her throat, as she grabs Mary's arm, hoping it's not too late, wishing she could run away from this place, with nothing but the paper plate to cover her entire identity.